Day 12: Put me in Coach!

Day 12: Put me in Coach!

As I sit here on a rainy day, right after the explosions at the Boston Marathon, I contemplate what to write. Is there one thing to say or do that is more meaningful than any other? No one knows what to say or do. Our country is hurting. We continue to be shaken to the core and continue to endure one travesty after another all the while asking, what do we do? How can a fellow human being do something like this? How can someone do something so unloving?

I’m guessing they don’t know Love, not like I know Love.

I certainly can’t fathom doing anything like what happened in Boston, at Sandy Hook, or any of the other devastating events that have flooded our headlines in recent years. Most of us cannot.

What I do know is that what we are currently doing is not working, and no one really knows what to do. The government will try to “fix” it, but I really, really doubt, they will be able to fix Crazy with a law or procedures. We haven’t done it yet. Murder is against the law, yet it still happens pretty frequently. Do we really think that within our own power lies the ability to protect all of society at all times, from Crazy? I don’t think it is humanly possible to fix or protect against Crazy with procedures or laws. I’m not saying we shouldn’t do anything, but what I am saying is that we EACH should do something.

John 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your father in heaven.”

I am the light of the world. You are the light of the world. Notice it doesn’t say, “don’t worry, your pastor is bright enough for the world.” It says YOU are the light of the world. That means me! These acts were not the work of God. They are clearly the work of Satan, but knowing that God can use all things for His good, perhaps this is our calling. How loud does he have to yell? Am I listening? Are you listening? How bright are our lights?

Before now, mine was really dim. You’d have to lift the bowl and shake the lamp to know it was on. Now, the bowl is off, but it’s time to turn that baby on bright. How bright can I be? How many times am I going to let Satan take control and convince me that I should hide my faith? My faith in the only truth I have ever found, the grace, mercy and love of Christ?

How many lives will be able to see my light and be attracted to Christ because of my actions? I think believing might be enough to get us to heaven, and I know I cannot get to heaven based only on doing “good things.” But, in order for others to see and know Christ, I have to believe and I have to lead by example. I have to act. Am I assuming someone else will share the light of Christ? Am I assuming that my dim light can’t be any brighter? We are put here to be the light of the world. Am I willing to step up and to step up over and over again? I sure hope so. We are all angry. Will we use this anger to fight back for the One that has the power to make impossible possible?

I will fight back.

Today I will sign up for Baptism at my church. I will talk more about the reasons for Baptism and the experience in later posts. For today, I think it is enough to know it is my way of saying publicly that my light will shine for the One who has modeled what true Love looks like. I’m committed. I’m in. I’m not going back. I’m a fighter. God, fill me with the Holy Spirit because I am ready. Put me in Coach, because I want to play. I want to play hard and I want to win for Your team.

I found your post so interesting – and very much along the lines I had been thinking myself today.

Like many others, I was watching the news last night and hearing the typical commentary about how “senseless” this is and how “something” must be done. And I get it. It’s hard. It is senseless! But, in one sense it shouldn’t surprise us that the world is broken and that in a broken world very tragic things happens – and with 24 hour news cycles we see/hear about all of it.

I suspect there is a sense where people prob expect me to say that that the gosple of Christ is the answer…. That is what pastors are supposed to say. But, the fact is I don’t say it out of my role as a pastor. I say it out of my conviction as a transformed (and transforming) soul by the power of Holy Spirit. It is the only power that can change a human heart.

As you said so well in your post. It is as individidual Christ followers share the light of Christ – darkness receeds – both in society and in an individual life. So, may it be true that we all find a way – in whatever place we find ourselves to be a light in the world.